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The world’s elite riders experienced life as a London cyclist yesterday as the Tour de France faced crashes with pedestrians, trouble with bus lanes and protests by topless women.

Five riders were involved in the most dramatic crash with a man who appeared to step off the pavement to take a selfie photograph as the peloton sped past the site of the London Olympics. The spectator, dressed in a vest and shorts, was clipped by David López García, the Team Sky rider.

In the subsequent chaos, four other riders were brought to the ground, including Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck and Simon

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Flash, bang, wallop — riders face day in the life of a London cyclist

July 8 2014

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The pack with Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali passes King’s College

July 8 2014 Laurent Cipriani/AP

The pack with Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali passes King’s College

July 8 2014 Laurent Cipriani/AP

The peloton speeds through Parliament Square yesterday

July 8 2014 Richard Pohle/The Times

Team Sky rider David López struck a man who wandered into the road to take a picture

July 8 2014

As fans gathered to watch the race's conclusion Femen protesters decided to make a point about FGM

July 8 2014 AP

Fans prepare to welcome the race at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, east London

July 8 2014 Wenn

Marcel Kittel took the stage, his second in three days

July 8 2014 Peter Dejong/AP

The big German held off the charging peloton on the Mall

July 8 2014 Peter Dejong/AP

Cycling fan Alex Dale, 11, waits in the village of Finchingfield in north Essex

July 8 2014 Nick Ansell/PA

More cycling fans await in the village of Finchingfield

July 8 2014 Nick Ansell/PA

Riders have been overwhelmed by the level of support along the roads

July 8 2014 JEFF PACHOUD

Fans gather outside the Houses of Parliament for stage three of Le Tour